16 Jun
We checked in online which meant that we could go to the airport an hour later – mod cons! We boarded the ‘plane and took off’. We had beef for dinner and I watched a Robin Williams stand up routine (or at least most of it) while Marisa watched Valentine’s Day (she found it boring). We got a good few hours sleep as well.
17 Jun
We landed just about on schedule, disembarked and collected our luggage. Then we caught the transfer bus to Heathrow. Terminal 5 was extremely modern and efficient – they’ve worked out the bugs from their grand opening. We had breakfast and then caught the flight to Budapest. It was quite clear over Europe and I recognized Amsterdam and Brno from the air. Off the plane and a car waiting to the Hotel Central Basilica near the St Stephens Basicila in Pest. We had a walk around Vaci Ut and along the riverside. In the evening we started dinner at 7:30 at La Cucina della Mamma. I had the Hungary menu while Marisa had a pizza. Due to the World Cup, the service was a bit intermittent. It was good between games (between 8-9). I had to wait the first half of the next game for dessert! We finally finished at about 10:15.
18 Jun
Had a bit of a lazy morning due to the rain. Caught the Hop on hop off bus to do some land sightseeing. We started at the Deak ter, the main square in Budapest. We then drove along Andrassy Ut past the Opera House and Liszt Square and on to the Heroes Square. We then drove past the Szechenyi Baths, Zoo and Vajdahunyad Castle. Just past Heroes square again we traded buses (the clutch had been slipping for the entire ride). It was raining on and off, so we had bright orange ponchos on the new bus (it was an open top bus). We then drove along Rakoczi Ut and to the Synagogue. It was then across the Danube to Buda, up Gellert-hill to the Citadella for a spectacular view of the city. We drove past the Fisherman’s Bastion and St Matthias Church and Buda Castle. Back to Pest via the Chain Bridge and past the Houses of Parliament. We then had some lunch and went to the Szechenyi Baths. We had a cabin to change in and then enjoyed the various “medicinal baths”. They ranged from 26-36 C (79-93F). It was fun to move from warm to cooler. Then we went to the outside pools. There was one with a big circular whirlpool which was fun to ride in. Then we went back to the hotel, had a spot of dinner and then a concert at the St. Stephens Basicila. It was spectacular inside with a very long echo. The concert had some popular classical pieces with some interesting combinations involving Trumpet, Violin, Soprano, Tenor and Organ. Ready for an early morning tomorrow.
1 comment:
Oh my goodness! Have you posted about Budapest before? I lived there and I just LOVED it! It was so cool to be reminded of all the places that were once familiar to me. Your post makes me want to go back (and, actually, it's our planned babymoon location).
Yay for travelling!
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